Blanka ditched the junk food and built herself up into a champion
SHE LOST 5ST, BECAME A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR, A ZUMBA DANCE TEACHER AND A WORLD CLASS BODYBUILDER IN THREE YEARS
A MUSCULAR mum-of-two has become a UK champion bodybuilder just three years after joining a gym, after abandoning her previous junk-food fuelled unhealthy lifestyle.
Her physical state is a far cry from her previous way of life, with Mcdonald’s takeaways, doughnuts and chocolate regular dietary choices.
Blanka Harvey piled on the pounds further following the birth of her two children, now aged four and three. The Ashby competitor decided to join a gym after reaching 13 stone and feeling unhealthy.
And within a matter of months, Blanka had become a qualified fitness instructor and Zumba teacher. Now the newly transformed Blanka will compete against bodybuilders from across the globe at the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Championships.
The 5ft 6ins fitness fanatic now trains six times a week and weighs eight stone. This comes after she lost an impressive five stone and dropped four dress sizes in two years before turning her passion to bodybuilding in April last year.
She went on to claim two British titles the same year she took up the sport. And on November 19, she will compete against 20 other bodybuilders from around the world at the finals in Los Angeles.
Blanka said: “I joined the gym six weeks after giving birth to my second child. I was always very active and fit before the children and I gained a lot of weight during the second pregnancy.
“I wanted to join the gym to get back to the fitness levels I had before my pregnancy to feel a bit better about myself. But I haven’t stopped exercising since.
“During lockdown I taught from home and I completed my level two fitness instructor license. I tried to use lockdown to my benefit.
“Before I was in a management role in hospitality, there was so much stress and long working hours. Now I get to laugh and dance and giggle with the Zumba ladies.
“My family are really proud of me. My dad thinks I’m a bit too thin, they joke around with me, but they are very supportive.
“I work now as a personal trainer, I coach about 25 ladies as well as the Zumba classes which people are welcome to come and join. And I still manage to fit the school run in every day.”
The 31-yearold added: “I came out of lockdown with an entirely new career. Then I’ve got into bodybuilding and I happened to be a successful at it.
“I wanted to take my physique to the next level. I also wanted to set an example for my clients and to be someone to look up to.” Blanka started her bodybuilding training in April 2021 before winning her first show in September that year, and then winning the WNBF British Finals the same year. And she loves getting done up for the occasion. “I have the glam and the tan and the beautiful makeup,” she said.
“I used to live in high heels so I loved competing in it – walking in high heels is natural to me.
“It might sound a little bit cheesy, but I do love the attention. I’m working in the gym 24/7 and I’m sweaty and worn out and it’s so lovely I can showcase what I’m working for.
“For the world championship I’m trying my real best to get the training in, but I’m just really excited about the whole experience and being part of Team GB.”
I came out of lockdown with an entirely new career. Then I got into bodybuilding.
Blanka Harvey